Magic Johnson

We’ve had this conversation before. I say the 1971-72 Lakers are the greatest team ever, and you reply that the 1995-96 Bulls were better. I respond, saying my team had Hall of Famers at nearly every position. You point out that Jordan and company had a record-setting 72-win season. The debate escalates and you eventually yell: “Let’s take it outside!” A parking lot fistfight ensues and someone has to call the police.

But that doesn’t have to happen anymore. We live in a more civilized time, one where video games can settle our differences. We don’t have to argue over hypothetical matchups; we can let them play out virtually. That’s one of the ideas driving NBA 2K12.

Incorporating more of the classic teams, Visual Concepts expands on the concept of re-creating the impressive matchups of the past. They did such a good job with the Jordan Challenge last year that they broadened that vision to “15 of the most influential and game-defining players the NBA has ever seen,” according to producer Erick Boenisch.

Isn’t Melissa Etheridge a bit too old to try a new look for her live shows? We could barley recognize her with the Mohawk, leather and way too much make-up.

Our snark for Melissa Etheridge was misplaced. We had missed she was in costume for the boardway show “American Idiot.” Our bad.

Also featured today: Magic Johnson hangs with Oscar De Lay Hoya during the naming rights announcement for the new football stadium Farmers Field in Los Angeles; Samuel L. Jackson looking classy at a screening of his new film “Sunset Limited;” and Rachel Bilson goes with grey ruffles for the premiere of her new film “Waiting for Forever.”